Annually, when Arizona's mercury climbs above the century mark, residents seek shelter in higher elevations. The White Mountains in central-east Arizona and the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff offer an ideal refuge, soaring well above 10,000 feet.

For the off-road enthusiast who knows were to go, those areas are also home to some of the most secluded experiences to be found in the entire Southwest. Arizona's Hulsey Lake runs all the way from near the New Mexico boarder, to central Arizona, where it finally joins the White River, tuning into the Salt River.

Much of the Hulsey Lakes remote regions wind through both the White Mountain and San Carlos Apache Indian reservations. One particularly scenic section, ideally located on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, could become one of the Southwest's premier angling destinations, depending on efforts currently underway.

The quickest way to reach either fork of the Hulsey Lake is to take U.S. Route 191 toward Alpine. A few miles north, Forest Service Road 249 heads west into the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. This dirt road is a little hard to see, so be sure to slow down. The sign, located near mile marker 423, indicates it as the route to Big Lake. Where Forest Service Road 249 turns to the right toward Big Lake, you bear to the left and pick up Forest Service Road 276. In about 12 miles, you'll come to Deer Creek turnoff and the river is visible. Regulations change periodically, so be sure to consult a current set of Arizona fishing regulations prior to leaving. If you continue toward the West Fork, the road will slowly get rougher. -G.J Sagi, from the travel handbook Fishing Arizona

GPS:

Latitude: 33° 55' 56.10"N Longitude: 109° 09' 39.97"W

Phone Numbers for more information::

Alpine Ranger District (928) 339-5000

Restrictions/Season of Use:

Boating at Hulsey Lake is open from 5 to 10 and shore fishing from 5 to midnight

Road Conditions:

Paved to dirt

Land Ownership:

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Ranger Station/District:

Alpine Ranger District (928) 339-5000

Entrance Fees/Permits:

No unless the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest has it posted otherwise

User Comments

Sort Comments By

Better check your facts on the 3 last paragraphs. Hulsey Lake is a lake, not a river. Looks like you mixed in some directions and info to the East Fork Black River.

Hulsey Lake is a small lake on the flanks of Escudilla Mountain and is stocked with rainbow trout. You get to Hulsey Lake by taking Forest Road 56 off of Hwy 191 between Springerville and Alpine. There is a small parking area, then a short walk down to the lake.

Hulsey Lake was impacted by the Wallow Fire of 2011 and was drained for a number of years due to flooding threats. It was dredged in 2015 to remove a lot of silt and ash that washed in from the fire, then filled during the winter of 2015-16, and was restocked in the spring of 2016. Regular stockings will now occur in the spring and early summer. So yes, it was likely dry in 2012 and 2014, but not now. Check it out!